Did you know that 15 percent of American children are overweight or obese? Even more alarming is the fact that according to the Centers for Disease Control, that number has doubled in the past two decades. As a result, doctors say parents should encourage their children to engage in any kind of activity to get them moving.
Jumping rope is not only good for boosting your mood during cold, gloomy winter days, but it is also a simple and fun exercise that burns calories. If your child has shifted into couch potato mode and you are looking for a way to get him up and moving, consider buying a jump rope and making exercise a family affair.
Besides the basic two-foot jump, there are several other jumping techniques that you and your child can master:
Figure Eight. To execute this jump simply bring the rope out and swing it from side to side without jumping through it. This technique is also known as “rope turn“ and it allows you to keep your feet on the ground. This move is ideal for people with bad knees as it elevates your heart rate without forcing you to vigorously jump up and down.
Slalom. In this technique instead of jumping vertically up and down, you shift your feet in the air from side to side, as though you were downhill skiing. You can also keep the rope in your hands and jump from side to side to get a feel for the motion before actually jumping through the rope.
Straddle. This is basically like doing jumping-jacks, except with a jump rope. It is an advanced technique that can be learned by swinging the rope at your side before jumping through it.
Slow Jump. To master this technique cut the repetitions in half, elongating the motion.
Other Tips: It helps to put on some upbeat music while you are jumping. You can adjust the tempo as you see fit, just remember to keep jumping rope, or even swinging the rope at your side to get an effective cardiovascular workout.
Related Articles:
More Tips on Staying Fit During the Winter
How to Make Workouts a Priority During the Winter
How Often Do You Use Your Home Gym?
Bad Things Happen When You Stop Going to the Gym
Staying Ahead of Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions